CM Maryam launches PIFTAC, AI hub to strengthen Punjab's security system 

Lahore (Web Desk): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said the newly established Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Center (PIFTAC), along with the province’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub, will give authorities a stronger ability to identify security threats before they escalate, bring law-enforcement agencies closer together and respond more quickly to emerging risks.

She made the remarks on Saturday while speaking at the inauguration of PIFTAC and the e-launch ceremony of AI Hub Punjab. The chief minister said Punjab had set a new precedent by becoming the first province in the country to establish a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Hub.

CM Maryam said what had initially been an idea surrounding the use of AI had been converted into an operational reality within just a few months. She described the completion of the AI Hub in such a short period as a major achievement for the provincial government.

The chief minister acknowledged the Pakistan Army’s cooperation in the initiative and specifically thanked Lahore Corps Commander Lieutenant General Fayyaz Hussain Shah for extending his support.

She also praised Home Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, Home Secretary Ahmad Javed Qazi and other officials for completing the AI Hub within a remarkably short timeframe.

CM Maryam said that the police, special branch and other law-enforcement agencies also deserved recognition for joining forces and working as a “one unit” to protect the public and maintain peace and order throughout Punjab.

She said that the province had recently demonstrated that it could deal with difficult situations swiftly, including the problems triggered by intense rainfall. She acknowledged weaknesses in existing sewerage and drainage infrastructure but said authorities were now removing accumulated rainwater without the delays seen previously.

Maryam Nawaz, however, pointed out that permanently repairing and upgrading sewerage and drainage networks throughout Punjab would be a major undertaking requiring considerable financial resources.

She said that the AI-based mechanism would further improve preventive governance by sending digital alerts to district coordination committees. Such warnings, she explained, would enable officials to spot developing problems and intervene before they turned into larger incidents.

The Punjab CM maintained that public security was no less important than development. She argued that investments in roads and other infrastructure would have little significance if citizens continued to fear theft, violence or damage to their property.

She claimed that crime levels in Punjab had dropped by as much as 70 per cent, attributing the improvement to a shift in government policy from reacting to crimes after they occur towards taking measures designed to stop them in the first place.

Talking about security operations, Maryam Nawaz said that the government had made several difficult decisions aimed at protecting citizens and had improved joint check posts in sensitive areas. These posts, she said, had been equipped with bulletproof facilities as well as thermal and night-vision cameras.

She recalled that security personnel had previously faced attacks in which dozens of officers were killed. In some cases, she said, militants had access to more advanced weapons and night-vision equipment than the police officers confronting them.

The chief minister said that the situation in Punjab’s riverine areas had also undergone a substantial change, with government authority now firmly established and criminal activity brought under control.

She warned that security challenges could also originate from the tri-border region and adjoining provinces. In such circumstances, she said, effective intelligence sharing and rapid assessment of possible threats were essential.

Maryam Nawaz said PIFTAC would help shorten the time needed to respond to terrorism and other security threats. She stressed that the greatest achievement would be to stop an incident before it actually happened.

Turning to corruption, the chief minister said her government would continue pursuing a zero-tolerance policy, insisting that no case would be considered too minor to investigate. Even corruption involving Rs100, she said, would be taken seriously.

She said a public helpline had been introduced to enable citizens to report corrupt practices. Authorities, she added, would proceed with arrests after collecting sufficient evidence.

The Punjab CM said that the written directives had also been issued to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), regional police officers and other senior officials to identify corrupt personnel and remove such elements from their departments.

The chief minister further said police officers had been equipped with body cameras as part of efforts to increase transparency, strengthen accountability and keep track of their conduct while carrying out official duties.

She said the provincial administration was also trying to encourage greater public compliance with laws and regulations.

Enforcement of helmet requirements, proper lane use and zebra crossings were cited as examples of measures being implemented to improve road discipline. She added that pedestrians also needed to be educated about basic road-safety practices.

Maryam Nawaz said the government had taken a challenging decision to permit Basant in Lahore after putting extensive safety arrangements in place.

She said the festival ended peacefully and that no kite was seen flying once the officially schedule closing time had passed.

The chief minister expressed particular concern over crimes committed against women and children, describing the perpetrators of such acts as mentally disturbed individuals.

She said incidents such as the abuse of a 10-month-old girl were deeply disturbing and had shaken people’s faith in humanity. Such cases, she stressed, demonstrated the need to further strengthen systems designed to protect vulnerable members of society.

Maryam Nawaz said citizens expected the government to safeguard their lives and property, adding that ensuring public safety was her responsibility. 

She said she was willing to make difficult decisions in the interest of the public without allowing concerns about personal risk to stand in the way.

The Punjab CM said the broader vision of her government was to develop a Punjab that was safer, technologically advanced and governed more effectively. 

The chief minister expressed hope that Pakistan would continue making rapid progress and said the government was also working to improve the country’s image and international perception.